Botswana Guardian

Hate speech undermines social harmony in SADC

Hate speech poses a signi - cant threat to social cohesion and stability in the Southern Africa region, Director at United Nations Informatio­n Centre, ( UNIC), Masimba Ta - renyika has said.

Ta renyika was speaking last week at the launch of SAMM Media Toolkit reporting on Labour Migration in the Southern African Developmen­t Community ( SADC) region and media competitio­n awards ceremony in Cape Town, South Africa. He said that the digital age has ampli ed the reach and impact of hate speech and social media platforms, while they o er opportunit­ies for free expression and civic engagement, they also provide a breeding ground for hate speech.

“These include X ( formerly known as Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and of course the new kid on the block that has taken the world by storm, Tik Tok.

“Messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram and Signal also play a role in spreading hate speech. And now with the advent of Arti cial Intelligen­ce or AI, in addition to the immense opportunit­ies it offers, things are bound to get worse in terms of spreading hate speech,” Ta renyika.

He also said that anonymity and the rapid disseminat­ion of informatio­n, make it easier for harmful content to spread unchecked and this digital proliferat­ion of hate speech can polarise communitie­s, fuel xenophobia, and lead to realworld violence. By addressing and mitigating hate speech, Ta renyika believes that society, especially the media, can create a safer and more supportive environmen­t for all its members.

“What is the intersecti­on of media and hate speech? The media’s role in either mitigating or exacerbati­ng hate speech cannot be overemphas­ised.

“Responsibl­e journalism can help to counteract hate speech by promoting dialogue, understand­ing, and tolerance. By providing a platform for diverse voices and fostering informed debate, the media can challenge stereotype­s and prejudices.

“Investigat­ive journalism can also expose the sources and networks behind organised hate speech, and hold perpetrato­rs accountabl­e,” he said.

He urged journalist­s in SADC region to uphold ethical standards because when they fail to do that, media become a conduit for hate speech and sensationa­lism, biased reporting, and the use of inflammato­ry language can inflame tensions and legitimise discrimina­tory attitudes.

“For instance, during times of political unrest or social upheaval, irresponsi­ble reporting can stoke fears and incite violence against targeted groups.

“We have seen this repeated time and again in some parts of the world, including Rwanda, where some ethnic groups were called cockroache­s or some other derogatory terms. And we all know how the story ended,” Ta renyika cautioned.

He also urged government­s in Southern Africa to enact and enforce laws, that address hate speech while respecting freedom of expression.

“Legal frameworks should provide clear de nitions of hate speech, establish penalties for o enders, and o er protection­s for victims.

“Civil society organisati­ons, including human rights groups, educationa­l institutio­ns, and community organisati­ons, play a crucial role in raising awareness about the dangers of hate speech and promoting tolerance.

“Public education campaigns, workshops, and dialogues can help to build resilience against hate speech and empower individual­s to speak out against it,” Ta renyika said.

He also advocated empowering marginalis­ed communitie­s to speak out against hate speech and discrimina­tion saying this should be done by providing platforms and support for these communitie­s to share their experience­s and perspectiv­es to challenge and counteract hate speech.

“The media must also take responsibi­lity for fighting this scourge. Media organisati­ons should implement strict editorial policies that prohibit the publicatio­n of hate speech and promote balanced reporting.

“is includes guidelines for fact- checking, sourcing, and presenting diverse viewpoints. Editorial oversight can help to ensure that these policies are consistent­ly applied”, he added.

Ta renyika also pleaded with the media owners to empower journalist­s by providing them with comprehens­ive training on ethical journalism and the importance of impartiali­ty.

“Establishi­ng accountabi­lity mechanisms, such as media ombudsmen or independen­t regulatory bodies, can help to monitor and address instances of biased reporting.

“ese mechanisms provide a

nd platform for the public to raise concerns and ensure that media organisati­ons adhere to standards of fairness and accuracy.

“Social media platforms, where much of the contempora­ry hate speech occurs, must enhance their content moderation practices and collaborat­e with local authoritie­s to address hate speech e ectively,” he said.

For her part, Chief Technical Advisor at Southern African Mi g r a t i on Mana geme nt ( SAMM), Gloria Moreno- Fontes, said that worldwide, migrants are still too o en victims of racist, discrimina­tory and xenophobic attacks.

The media often promotes a toxic public narrative on migration, and reinforces stigmatisa­tion through the inclusion of xenophobic and discrimina­tory messages.

“Indeed, the press often portrays migrants as criminals, illegals and as ‘ stealing jobs from national workers’. Furthermor­e, migr ant s are f requent ly scapegoats during economic recessions”.

Moreno- Fontes added that it is essential to change negative perception­s and attitudes through evidence or fact- based journalism and broadcasti­ng that contribute to eliminate public misconcept­ions.

Indeed, a fair and balanced reportage that recognises migrants’ contributi­on to the economic growth and developmen­t of countries of origin, transit and destinatio­n is urgently needed, Moreno- Fontes noted.